Ministry Projects : Holistic Care Program for Nepal
Nepal's people face many health challenges. Hundreds are dying every year from water-borne diseases and other illnesses such as malaria. Illiteracy, ignorance, and lack of awareness of health and hygiene issues contribute to this terrible death toll. Soon, HIV/AIDS will become an epidemic in Nepal as well. According to United Nations sources, there are already more than 70,000 (2001 est.) people in Nepal living with HIV. More than 3,000 have died of AIDS (2003 est). Since these are estimated figures from several years ago, actual numbers of people living with HIV/AIDS is likely much higher. High-risk groups include intravenous drug users, female sex workers and migrants.
Human trafficking of girls and women into India is another major issue in Nepal. Some media reports make it appear as though there were few young girls left in Nepal, due to trafficking. Oft-quoted figures estimate 5,000-7,000 Nepali girls are forced across the border into India every year, and 150,000-200,000 Nepali women and girls are trapped in brothels in various Indian cities. (http://infochangeindia.org/Media/Related-Analysis/Figure-it-out-Reporting-on-trafficking-in-women.html). Almost all the trafficked girls and women in India's brothels are HIV positive. Once they are found to be HIV positive, or they grow older, brothel owners often throw the women out. With no alternative, these abused women and girls return to Nepal, hopeless, helpless and weakened.
Illicit drug use has become a problem engulfing almost every district of Nepal. There are about 200,000 drug addicts in Nepal (CWIN, 2002), of whom 30,000 take drugs by injection, making them extremely vulnerable to HIV infection. Approximately 40 percent are HIV-positive (MoH, 2002). (http://www.ippfsar.org/en/What-we-do/Strategic+plan/aidsnepal.htm )
Some national and international organizations are working in Nepal to prevent and control the spread of HIV/AIDS, but none of them have ever utilized mass media on a regular basis. TWR Nepal is uniquely equipped to use radio, a popular form of entertainment and information in the country, to help raise awareness and stem the tide of HIV/AIDS in Nepal.
God has been using our current radio broadcast to minister to a large number of people all over Nepal. When we travel to meet with the listeners, read their letters and speak with them, we see the transformation that God’s word has brought to their lives.
This Wholistic Care program will be broadcast in 15 Nepali districts, reaching a population of around four million. You can be a part of this great opportunity to bring hope to Nepal through your prayers and financial support. A gift of $100 would be greatly appreciated.
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